Don’t Miss a Beat: Learn About Heart Arrhythmia
Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, and it affects the healthy operation of most of your other organs and your overall well-being. There are many problems you could experience with your heart, and heart arrhythmia is a common one. It’s a heart condition that can cause everything from mild inconvenience to death. Take our quiz and get all the information you need about heart arrhythmia.
1. Which of the following is the definition of heart arrhythmia?
A. An enlarged heart
B. Inflammation in the heart
C. An irregular heartbeat, either too fast or too slow
D. None of the above
2. True or false? A heart arrhythmia is caused when the electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat don’t work properly.
3. Which of the following are primary symptoms of heart arrhythmia?
A. A fluttering in the chest
B. A racing heartbeat (tachycardia, or a resting heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute) or a slow heartbeat (bradycardia, or a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute).
C. Chest pain
D. Shortness of breath
E. All of the above
4. Which of the following is NOT a secondary symptom of heart arrhythmia?
A. Anxiety
B. A rash on the extremities
C. Fatigue
D. Lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or fainting (syncope), or near fainting.
5. Which of the following are possible treatments for heart arrhythmia?
A. Medications
B. Catheter procedures
C. Implanted devices or surgery to control or eliminate fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats
D. All of the above
6. True or false? A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart damage that can trigger certain heart arrhythmias.
7. There are many different kinds of heart arrhythmias that are in the tachycardia (or a fast heartbeat) category. Which of the following are possible complications of different kinds of tachycardias?
A. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and atrial flutter. Chaotic heart signaling causes a rapid, uncoordinated heart rate that is associated with serious complications such as stroke.
B. Supraventricular tachycardia arrhythmias cause episodes of a pounding heartbeat (palpitations) that begin and end abruptly.
C. Ventricular fibrillation, when rapid, chaotic electrical signals cause the lower heart chambers (ventricles) to quiver and can lead to death if a normal heart rhythm isn’t restored within minutes.
D. Ventricular tachycardia, when faulty electrical signals cause a rapid heart rate that doesn’t allow the ventricles to properly fill with blood. In those with heart disease, it can be a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment.
E. All of the above
8. True or false? Sometimes it’s normal for a person to have a fast or slow heart rate. For example, the heart rate may increase with exercise or slow down during sleep.
9. If you suspect you have a possible heart arrhythmia, you should see a doctor. Which of the following are symptoms that mean you should not wait and instead seek immediate medical help?
A. You feel like your heart is beating too fast or too slowly
B. You feel like your heart is skipping a beat
C. Shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and chest pain or discomfort
D. All of the above
compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH / Resources: Information provided by The Mayo Clinic and The American Heart Association
ANSWERS
C. A heart arrhythmia is any irregular heartbeat, either too fast or too slow.
True. There are many reasons that can cause the electrical signals that coordinate the heartbeat to not work properly.
E. All of the above
B. A rash on the extremities. Anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, and anything related to fainting can be symptoms of heart arrhythmia.
D. All of the above. There are many treatment options for heart arrhythmia.
True. Getting exercise, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can help to prevent heart damage that can trigger certain heart arrhythmias.
E. All of the above. There are many different types of tachycardias, or fast heart arrhythmias; most of them constitute a medical emergency.
True. Not all slow or fast heart arrhythmias are causes for concern.
C. Shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting, and chest pain or discomfort. These symptoms all present a medical emergency and you should see a medical professional immediately.
